Cody Martin will get the starting nod in Thursday’s preseason game against the Orlando Magic for the injured Gordon Hayward, head coach James Borrego announced before the game.
Through the first two preseason games, Cody Martin has played the fifth-most minutes for the team, averaging 4.5 points per game. Borrego noted Martin’s defensive ability and the ease of sliding him into the starting lineup as the primary reasons for going with the third-year guard in the starting lineup.
On Wednesday, Hayward was diagnosed with a broken finger on his right hand that ruled him out for the team’s third preseason and the first on the road in Orlando. Hayward is still considered day-to-day moving forward and his status for the regular season opener on Dec. 23 is unknown.
In Thursday morning’s shootaround, Borrego expressed optimism of Hayward’s injury, though he would not speculate on his potential availability for the final preseason game or the regular season.
